TNAG-0096-FCO40-132-Hong-Kong-Trade-Unions-1968 — Page 24

For discussion

CONFIDENTIAL

3

on 9th January 1968

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

146/6/1

XCC(68)5

Copy No.....of 25

DEPARTMENTAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME OF THE.... LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE MINES DEPARTMENT.

16518/31

At the beginning of 1967 the Commissioner of Labour drew up a departmental legislative programme for the Labour Department. For administrative convenience the programme for the Mines Department was also included. The purposes of this programme were to list, for easy reference, a considerable number of proposals involving new or amending legislation and to establish priorities for each item recorded.

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passed

!!

Since the programme was initiated, the following legislation has been

Asiatic Emigration (Amendment) Ordinance, 1967.

Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Ordinance, 1967

1/15/1

Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations, 1967

N1315/2

Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Ordinance, 1967

Emergency (Firework) Regulations, 1967

Boilers and Pressure Receivers (Amendment) Regulations, 1967

WB 12/4

WB15/2

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Boilers and Pressure Receivers (Amendment) Ordinance, 1967

Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Regulations, 1967.

It is not of course possible to bring legislation forward strictly in accordance with its priority of importance. Quick progress can often be made on straightforward or minor items, and in consequence the lesser items tend to overhaul the major items and reach the statute book before them. Sometimes, in changing conditions, it becomes necessary to accelerate progress on one item as a matter of urgency or to introduce an entirely new item at short notice to the detriment of all other items. The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Regulations, 1967, relating to hours of work for women and young persons in industrial employment is an example of the first type of legislation. The Emergency (Firework) Regulations, 1967, confiscating fireworks in the hands of the public is an example of the second type. Furthermore, the various items in this programme have to take their place in Government's over-all legislative programme.

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In spite of the existence of this programme, there has been criticism in recent months, especially in the press, about the lack of future plans for labour legislation; criticism which the Commissioner of Labour and his officers have been unable to answer effectively because of the constitutional position which makes it impossible or at least undesirable to speak of Govern- ment's legislative proposals until they have received at least the general endorsement of the Governor in Council, The Commissioner of Labour is

CONFIDENTIAL